ACC Football: Three impact Coastal Division games in week 12

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Which ACC Football Coastal Division games are the biggest of the weekend?

Last week, I declared that 2016 was the year that anything was possible.

College football went out and proved it to everyone this past weekend. I should really consider opening up a fortune-teller stand at the fair next fall.

This week there is some upset potential, but it’s also a return to several good multi-ranked games. Six ranked teams play each other in three battles that will have an impact on the season.

In the SEC, Florida plays at LSU. If Florida wins, the Gators clinch the east and will play Alabama for the SEC championship. If LSU wins, Ed Orgeron makes another strong case to remain head coach of the Tigers.

In the Pac 12, Washington State plays at Colorado. If Washington State wins and Washington loses, the Cougars clinch the North. If Colorado wins, the South will be determined by the Buffaloes’ game against Utah next week.

In the Big 12, Oklahoma plays at West Virginia. Oklahoma controls their own destiny to win the Big 12. A Sooners victory means the conference will be decided in Bedlam.

Meanwhile, West Virginia could win out and still not win the conference. The Mountaineers lose the tie breaker if Oklahoma State wins out. Oddly enough, a West Virginia win would also mean the conference would be decided in Bedlam, just not as one might expect.

In the land of ACC Football, Clemson clinches the Atlantic with a win over Wake Forest. If the Demon Deacons pull the upset, the Tigers will miss the Championship as Louisville will take the crown. So with all of that done, let’s delve into this round of three impact games.

Duke at Pittsburgh (Saturday, Nov 19th @ 3:00 pm)

Both teams are coming off one-point victories as double-digit underdogs. Can both teams keep the magic going? Or is one due for a major letdown?

Things going for the Blue Devils: Pitt’s Pass Defense. Pitt’s pass defense is not good. The Panthers ranked 127th out of 128 teams in passing yards allowed per game.

Last week against Clemson, Pitt allowed Deshawn Watson to pass for nearly 600 yards. Daniel Jones has thrown for over 2200 yards this season. Last week against UNC he threw for 240 yards.

Duke also needs to win out to make a bowl game, so they have nothing left to lose this season by putting it all on the line.

Things going for the Panthers: This is not a rivalry game. I really think this helped Duke as much as anything. It is hard losing to one’s rival two years in a row. It’s also hard when said rival is winning the conference that you want to win.

Just ask the Heels in 2014 what that is like. UNC followed that win with a blowout loss to NC State. Could Duke be in for a letdown? If they are, Pitt could run away with this game. Luckily for Pitt, they have a running back who is more than capable of doing that.

To be fair I underestimated both teams last week. I gave neither a chance in either of their respective games and they both came out with the drive and passion needed to pull the upsets.

Duke needs a win to keep bowl hopes alive. Pitt has already clinched a bowl. Could Pitt lose another game at home this season? It seems unlikely. However, it is hard to underestimate a team with nothing to lose. Just ask the Tar Heels of 2013 and 2014.

Virginia at Georgia Tech (Saturday, November 19th @ 12:30 pm)

Virginia is coming off a blowout loss to Miami at home. Georgia Tech is coming off a dominating road win against Virginia Tech. Will Georgia Tech make it a Commonwealth sweep?

Things going for the Cavaliers: Pride. When a team is 2-8, is there really much else to play for than that? Sure, Taquan Mizzell can try for a sixth consecutive game of 100 or more total yards. Sure, Kurt Benkert can try to get closer to 3,000 passing yards. But honestly, all that’s left is pride.

Things going for the Yellow Jackets: Justin Thomas. The Senior QB is the heart and soul of this team. He’s looking for a third straight game of 200-plus yards of total offense.

Though he didn’t play last week in the Yellow Jackets win (seriously how did the Hokies lose that one?), Tech is better with Thomas in the game and he will play this week. Plus it’s senior day, so Thomas will have a lot to play for.

This wouldn’t seem to be much of a game. However, Virginia had been playing better football before Miami destroyed them. Georgia Tech will still be without lead running back Dedrick Mills. If Virginia can keep the run game in check, they might find a chance against the Yellow Jackets. If not, the Cavaliers will suffer their ninth loss (sixth in a row) of the season.

Miami at NC State (Saturday, November 19th @ 12:30 pm)

Miami is on a two-game winning streak. NC State is in need of a signature win. Can the Wolfpack pull the upset at home and reach bowl eligibility?

Things going for the Hurricanes: Brad Kaaya and Mark Walton. A week after going for 522 total yards and six scores against Pitt, the duo went for 350 total yards and three scores against Virginia. When those two are on, Miami is hard to beat. Plus there is NC State’s inability to beat good Power Five opponents. Thus far, Miami appears to be a good one.

Things going against the Hurricanes: Matthew Dayes. The running back is just 61 yards away from 1,000 for the season. Dayes allows the Wolfpack to slow things down and keep games close.

It is also senior day at State and this will be Dayes’ last home game. State will also be playing for bowl eligibility. Ask several teams last week how dangerous that can be. Finally, the game is at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Canes need only ask the rival Noles how easy is it to lose there.

Just as in the Pittsburgh game, Miami has already clinched bowl eligibility. Whereas NC State needs to win in order to do so. It’s the history of the Wolfpack under Coach Doeren that stands out the most. Wake Forest may end up being their best win in his four-year tenure. However, his job is in jeopardy and that makes State dangerous as well.

The Citadel at North Carolina (Saturday, November 19th @ 3:30 pm)

Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora reacts to a no call in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carolina defeated Pitt 37-36. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

I have said this before, but it bears repeating, this site is called Keeping it Heel. UNC is making this list regardless of competition.

Also, don’t underestimate the Bulldogs. The Citadel is 10-0 this season. They are ranked 6th in the latest FCS poll. They also beat South Carolina in Columbia last season.

The Heels are coming off a tough loss to rival Duke. Fedora is getting mentioned for other jobs. Lots of distractions for UNC. If they stay focused, play solid defense, and keep drives going, they should win.

If not the Citadel may be ranked No. 1 in the next FCS poll.

The only other game this weekend is Virginia Tech at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is not the team it used to be, but does need to win out to make a bowl game.

By my count, that makes seven Coastal teams. This week does nothing to move the needle for the Coastal as neither UNC nor Tech play conference games.

Next week will be different. So enjoy an off week in the Coastal and another round of ACC football.